Few private clubs in the Midwest carry Wakonda's combination of pedigree and discretion. Founded in 1922, the club has been home to one of Des Moines' most storied memberships for over a century, and its Donald Ross design remains among the most respected layouts in Iowa. Ross's fingerprints are everywhere — crowned greens that repel imprecise approaches, subtle fairway contours that reward local knowledge, and a routing that makes intelligent use of the rolling terrain south of the city.
Wakonda gained national attention when it hosted the 2017 U.S. Senior Open, a major championship that confirmed what Iowa golfers had known for decades: this is a course that holds up against elite competition. The Ross design, largely preserved through careful stewardship rather than wholesale renovation, proved a genuine test at the highest level without sacrificing its classic charm.
Des Moines punches well above its weight as a golf city, and Wakonda is a significant reason why. For members, this is the kind of club where the course itself — not the amenities — is the main event.
